Ambassador Hector Igarza (left) and Ottawa's Mayor, Jim Watson.

Ottawa, September 12 (RHC)-- The Cuban ambassador to Canada, Héctor Igarza, and the mayor of the city of Ottawa, Jim Watson, held a dialogue on issues of interest to both nations, diplomatic sources said.

During the talk in Ottawa, Watson learned about the damages caused by the economic, financial, and commercial blockade imposed for more than 60 years by the U.S. government against the island.

He also inquired about the efforts made by the Cuban government to face the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress of the five vaccines designed by the island's scientific centers against that disease.

Ambassador Igarza, for his part, explained how Cuba is capable of facing significant challenges, despite the intensification of the punitive policies of the U.S. government and the attempts to overthrow its Revolution.

The officials also discussed the development of the leisure industry, as Canada is the leading market for tourists to the island.

The mayor of Ottawa expressed his desire to give continuity to the bilateral exchange while offering the mayor's office to carry out activities to promote Cuban culture in that northern region.